Lesson 20 · Original 2024 edition
Non-Attachment
Original book · printed p. 47 onward ↗About this edition
The teaching below preserves the original book’s wording, with page footers and layout whitespace removed. The AI practice and reflection are new adaptations.
The traditional story and claims about non-attachment are preserved as written. The new exercise explores flexibility in a task; it does not ask you to detach from essential relationships or responsibilities.
Historical and scientific claims in the source have not yet undergone a complete evidence review.
Source teaching · Alex Julian, 2024
The original lesson
It is said in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali that if you master non-attachment, there is no need to even meditate. Non-attachment is that powerful. Unfortunately, due to a big misunderstanding of who we truly are, it is easier than ever to become attached and identified with a myriad of things. It is honestly just too easy to get attached to people, places, and methods these days. This is a bad habit in the fast ever-changing world of AI, where we can’t get attached and need to learn how to rapidly adapt.
There is a famous story about two monks that stumbled upon a woman trying to cross a river. One monk picks the woman up and carries her across. The other monk was in shock because they were not supposed to touch women. The monks continued walking, but the monk who watched this occur kept ruminating on it until he finally exploded in anger. He yelled at the monk who helped the woman cross the river — exclaiming that he is supposed to be a monk and should act like it. The monk who helped the woman across calmly responded with, “I put the woman down at the river bank, but you are still carrying her in your mind.”
Once you cross a river with a boat, don’t carry the boat with you for the rest of the journey. It served its purpose, now you have to let it go, otherwise it becomes a hinderance. This same thing has happened, and will continue to happen, with AI. We need to let go of outdated models, methods, and behaviors, otherwise we will fall behind. Non-attachment is a way to maximize productivity now, as well as enjoyment later.
© 2024 Alex Julian Yoga. All rights reserved.
New contemporary AI application
Try it in your next AI session.
Choose one AI-generated result you have become attached to. Compare it with your actual goal. Keep what serves the goal, revise what does not, and consider whether a different approach would help.
Reflect afterward
What could you let go of while still honoring the work you have already done?
Bring this teaching to the Practice Studio →Developed with AI assistance for this digital edition. Reflect privately; nothing needs to be submitted or shared.
Music and teaching
The original song and video
This lesson’s original song and video will appear here once the recordings and their lesson match have been verified.